Knife for cutting tobacco-leaves.



. Patented Dec, 2, 1902;

v No. 7|4,729.

C. MILLHTSER, KNIFE FOR CUTTING TOBACCO LEAVES.

' (Application filed Mar. 20, 1902') (No Model.)

UNITED TATES FFicE.

ATENT KNIFE FOR CUTTING TOBACCO-LEAVES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of L r P n N 714,'729, dated December 2, 1902.

Application filed March 20. 1902. Serial No. 99,221. (No model.)

cut in bulk from twenty-five to one hundred wrappers at one operation without gumming the blade, dragging, tearing, or disordering the leaf, or giving to the cut a ragged and uneven edge. By the use of my invention the leaf may be cut obliquely between the veins, making two clean cuts at one stroke,whereby the entire blank or wrapper is cut out at once, instead of, as by the use of the ordinary knife, having to make two separate cuts. As the use of my device permits the cutting of wrappers or leaf in bulk between the veins at one cut, according to the adjustment of the blades, the wrappers will be cut only of the width and size needed, and great saving of tobacco is eifected.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved knife. Fig. 2 shows a detail, and Fig. 3 a modifica tion. Fig. at is a modification showing the handle hinged to the support.

Similarnumerals of reference indicate similar parts in the respective figures.

1 represents a metallic support, to which is secured a handle 2 in any suitable manner. As here shown, the handle is attached by a pin 3, fitting within a hole in the support, the pin being secured therein by means of a setscrew 5. The handle may be made with a hinged clasp or spring for convenient folding or closing andis preferal'ily'furnished with a shield 12 at its junction with the support 1 to prevent the slipping of the hand of the operator against the knife. however, be omitted without detracting from the practical value of my invention.

The support 1 may be of any convenient length and is provided with a series of holes 6 for the reception of the shanks 7 of the cir- The shield may,

oular knives 8. Each shank 7 is furnished with a slit 9 at its outer end, within which a knife 8 revolves upon a pin 10. The periphery of the knife is given a sharp cutting edge. The shanks 7 of the blades are adapted to be adjusted to any of the holes 6, so as to vary the distance between the knives. Preferably I use but two knivesthat is tosay, my implement is a double-bladed one. The shanks 7 of the knives may be secured in the holes 6 by means of set-screws 9 or otherwise, and the knives are spaced a distance apart equal to the width of the wrapper or blank to be cut. The knives 8 maybe made of any required diameter and are preferably as thin as is consistent with strength. Each circular blade 8 is preferably provided with a small hole 11 for convenience in holding the blade for grinding or sharpening. The shank 7, holding the blade, may be straight or curved, (see Fig. 2,) and it is preferably of steel and is of any suitable length.

While I term my knife a double one, it is obvious that by adding to the number of holes 6 for the reception of the shanks 7 three or more knives may be used if a greater number of cuts than two are to be made at one time. (See Fig. 3.) By preference there is a hole 6 in the center of the support 1, so that if desired the implement may be used as a single knife by removing all but one shank and placing it in the center-hole. The width of the out may be determined by the proper disposition of the shanks 7 in the respective holes 6. The general construction is such that the parts of the knife may be readily separated or taken apart for cleaning or packing, although it is evident my invention may be carried out by making the implement, including the handle, in one piece, except that the circular knives would necessarily be separate.

In using my improved implement herein described not only is time saved by cleanly cutting both sides of the blank at one operation, but by the adjustment of the knives the cut may be made in accordance with the distance between'the veins of the leaf or anysized wrapper within the area ofthe leaf produced. This capability of adjustment prevents the waste of tobacco which might otherwise occur by cutting the wrapper or blank of a width greater than necessary. Thus stock can be saved which is now Wasted, and the goods will Weigh less and smoke better than if overburdened with wrapper. Particularly is this true with all-tobacco cigarettes or little cigars, which cannot exceed three pounds in weight without being subjected to a heavy tax.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. Inanimplementforcuttingtobacco-leaf, a handled support having two or more holes therein, combined with a shank adapted to be removably secured in each of said holes, said shank having at its outer end a rotary knife, the construction being such that the implement may be employed with two or more knives or a single knife, as desired, substantially as set forth.

2. In an implement for cutting tobacco-leaf, a support having holes therein, combined with shanks adjustably secured in said holes, a r0- tary knife journaled at the outer end of each shank, a handle, anda shield interposed at the junction of the support: and handle, substantially as set forth.

3. Combined in an implement of the class described, a rotary blade provided with a perforation for convenience in holding the blade for grinding or sharpening, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal.

CHARLES MILLHISER. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

GEORGE H. HOWARD, EDWIN S. CLARKSON. 

